July 24, 2016, Pahto, SW Chutes
7/24/16
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2831
2
Dropped into the chutes between noon and 1. Smooth and just a hair firm for the upper half, becoming notably runneled in the bottom half.
Ski quality: If you've never skied the Chutes before, it's still great, one of the best accessible ski routes available in North America in July. If you've skied the Chutes before, it may not surpass your previous experience.
Skiable with sidestepping to the mouth of the hanging valley. We opted to traverse to the South Side trail, talus-hopping all the way. Not sure whether it was better or worse than descending to the round-the-mountain trail.
Keep your eyes open for a missing climber somewhere on the south-ish side, thought to be wearing a red jacket and black pants.
Ski quality: If you've never skied the Chutes before, it's still great, one of the best accessible ski routes available in North America in July. If you've skied the Chutes before, it may not surpass your previous experience.
Skiable with sidestepping to the mouth of the hanging valley. We opted to traverse to the South Side trail, talus-hopping all the way. Not sure whether it was better or worse than descending to the round-the-mountain trail.
Keep your eyes open for a missing climber somewhere on the south-ish side, thought to be wearing a red jacket and black pants.
Charlie, I spoke with a SAR person who was there on Sunday. One theory is that the missing climber may have descended east/southeast in the whiteout from the summit instead of returning down the south route. But, they just don't know.
I ascended along the margin of the Klickitat Glacier Sunday, too. The wild east side has shed most of its friendly winter coat.
Any SAR-connected people know where we might contribute our Sunday GPS track to the searchers? Please email/PM (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Support your local SAR teams -- these big searches demand so much effort and sacrifice.
Any SAR-connected people know where we might contribute our Sunday GPS track to the searchers? Please email/PM (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Support your local SAR teams -- these big searches demand so much effort and sacrifice.
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